Ask:
I hate spending all of the money on Day-Quil, Ny-Quil, or other name-brand cold/flu meds. This time, I am taking a generic brand of Ny-Quil (we got it at Pamida), and it works just as well as Ny-Quil at about half the price. It also tastes the same, which is great, since I LOVE the taste of Ny-Quil.
I've also bundled up in lots of blankets when I've had the chills, instead of turning the thermostat up.
Anybody have other tips for saving money when you're sick?
Answer:
First, I'm sorry you're sick! No fun. I don't have any tips, except hubby stockpiles all the cold/flu medicines during the year. He gets them free after rebate at Walgreens... I can't tell you how many unopened Nyquils and stuff we have! 2 full shelves of this stuff. I wish I could zap it over to you
Answer:
I buy the store brand of drugs and use my heating pad when I have the chills. And I try to still make meals so we can eat at home and not have to pay for take-out/drive-thrus.
Answer:
In the medical world there are raging debates over whether over the counter cold meds help or not- and even if they do more harm than good. Some doctors feel they even extend symptoms and are dangerous. When I'm sick with a bad cold or similar, I do three things:
1. Pain relief- like clock work, Motrin or Tylenol (generic, of course) every 6-8 hours. Medical studies have shown that consistent pain relief truly shortens recovery time for just about everything. I've also read that aspirin, if it agrees with you, is a wonder drug for colds
2. Antihistamine- I skip all the other OTC medications and will take plain old benadryl to help me sleep at night . Benadryl is a great sedative- cheap, safe, nonaddicting. Fifty mgs helps me sleep even through the worst colds and coughs. An older antihistamine, brompheniramine, does double duty- it helps you sleep and has some decongestant-type properties, too. It's in a lot of children's cold medicines.
3. Rest and hydration- As if a mom can ever rest when she's sick, right? But I try my darndest- go to bed extra early, lie on the couch and let the kids watch extra videos, easy dinners- cereal, anyone? Rest is hugely important, and so often we let it slide. So when are our bodies supposed to fight infection and heal, then? When we're in grocery store?
I try to drink twice as much liquid as I usually do. Dehydration is a tremendous strain on the body- it can make you feel more tired and makes your whole system work harder; hydration is hugely important. Again, that is something that often slides.
Anyway- cheap medicine: generic pain reliever, antihistamine at night, rest and fluids. It works.
Answer:
Instead of purchasing combination medications, purchase the cheaper generic equivalent of ONLY the active ingredients. For instance, have on hand just aceteminophen (Tylenol), asprin, or ibuprofen (Advil). As for the active cold symptom ingredients, guifenesin is for gooey coughs. It makes mucous more watery so it can be handled by the body. I can't remember the spelling of the other drugs but the one that starts 'dex' is a cough suppressant. The 'phen...' drug is an antihistimine as is the generic version of Benedryl (di...). The first one will make you feel zippy, the second one will make you fall asleep. If you're unsure about any of the generic active ingredients, you can always as the pharmacist to assist you.
BTW, I like Nyquil, too.
Answer:
I agree with everyone else---buy generic. It's the same exact drug only cheaper.
When your doctor gives you a prescription ask if he/she has any samples they can give you. I get free generics with my insurance but others I have to pay 30% copay so I always ask the doctor if there is a generic versioin she can write for.
Answer:
At the start of each winter I always have 1 tbs apple cider vingar, 1 tbs honey, 3 tbs hot water. I drink this together every morning, and have not really had a cold or a bad flu in ages. When I start to feel sometihing coming on, I normally make a ginger, lemon, honey and black pepper with hot water conbination on the stove and drink it as a tea.
It does not taste wonderful but normally does the trick.
Answer:
I don't do cold/flu meds for myself when sick, really. I use lemon candies for sore throat and cough drops, and generic motrin for aches and pains. I have started to use Mucinex for congestion, I have horrible congestion when I get a cold and will usually not be able to speak for at least a week (really) and this helps a lot. I find other cold/flu meds give me nightmares (especially ones like Ny-quil). I do like Puffs tissues, though.
What a cream puff I used to be. I used to use rolls of COTTON as kleenex so my nose wouldn't get all red and dried out (the dating years). Now I just use a special Chap-stick that I only use for that purpose and wipe it off every time after I blow my nose and use the stick on my red nose. Works great, heals me right up.
Tea works well to for congestion. I don't like cold meds, I really don't get much relief and I don't like feeling drugged up.
Answer:
I don't really get sick, but when DS and my SO do, I try to get tons of rest and take Emergen-C. I make sure they do too. I have found that washing hands is key in not getting sick or spreading it to family.
Answer:
When you are all clogged up, run your shower really hot and steamy and sit in the bathroom. Also invest in a $8 vicks humdifier and some vicks concentrated solution. I think that the concentrated solution is $10. I use the same bottle for about 4 years. It has been the best investment and I use it whenever anyone is clogged up. Plus drinking lots of water and taking vitimins regularly helps.